Measuring

 I definitely have the need to be measured with my words. There was a time when this blog was more of an open book, but there is a need to be more guarded. I did not have much sleep last night. My mind was racing and its ideas from the past and a need to pursue some change in the future. There is a time for everything And there is always a lesson to be learned. I did the 3 x Woodlot loop with an up and back on the hill  and a shortened 3 rd lap through the trail. Surprisingly there was some light rain this morning. I felt decent considering the 1 1/2 hours of sleep. I did 8.71 miles in 2:16:18 for a 15:39 mile per mile pace with an average heart rate of 175 bpm with an elevation gain of 262 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 39 degrees. I have a better frame of mind today. God bless. I wish I could react better to some things!

A Better Start

 I had a better start to my workout week. I did the Woodlot/Ridge Loop twice with the short out and back. I did 8.62 miles in 2:15:47 for a 15:44 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 128 bpm with an elevation gain of 199 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 40 overcast degrees. A bit more positive of a mindset with a bit more energy. Thank you Lord!

Thursday/Friday

 Thursday: Randall/Medford Loop : 8.88 miles in 2:25:18 for a 16:21 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 159 bpm with an elevation gain of 269 feet at an average cadence of 126 spm at 49 rainy degrees with lots of puddles.

Friday: Did two times Ridge/Woodlot with a short out and back for 8.58 miles in 2:14:02 for a 15:36 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 175 bpm with an elevation gain of 174 feet at an average cadence of 129 spm at 35 clear degrees.

I’m thankful for the workouts even when I’m not at 100%. God bless you!

Through the Darkness

 This morning I decided to do one of my shorter loops doing 3x Woodlot/Raynor with an up and down the hill and a shortened third lap through the trail. I did 8.64 miles in 2:16:25 for a 15:47 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 157 bpm with an elevation gain of 207 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 33 degrees. I have been teetering on depression lately. It’s that black whole of nothing bringing excitement. I just feel like an outsider here in New York. The things I did for so many years in school and in church are no longer a part of my routine. I’ve tried to ignore my feelings , but you can’t fool yourself. It’s hard when the people around you don’t see your abilities. In church, my talented father in law sees the enormous abilities of his own flesh and blood and the people that adore him-but he doesn’t see what I can do because our thoughts on church are so different. God knows! Bless you my friends.

Sometimes You Just Don’t Have It

 This is day two of sub-par performance. I was slow and my stomach was off. When you feel off physically, then you are just plane off in about every other area. Since I’m driving a borrowed car, I don’t have a utility box in my car with stuff for headaches and stomach ailments. I did the Medford/Randall Loop today. On the end of the Randall road, someone took a pic with a green flash through their window shades. Kind of weird. I did 8.89 in 2:25:26 for a 16:20 minute per mile pace with a heart rate of 155 feet with a 215 foot elevation gain at an average pace of 128 spm at 33 degrees. Just overtired today. God bless!

It’s a Go, but oh so Slow

 Monday is a day of both hope and trepidation. Today my tir d body muddled along the streets of Ridge. I felt fast, but actually I was quite slow.  I did the Medford/Randall loop on another wet cool morning. I did 8.85 in 2:25:45 for a 16:27 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 150 bpm at an average cadence of 126 spm with an elevation gain of 259 fat 41 drizzly degrees. I’m grateful for these workouts even when I am old and slow. Did physical therapy at work. God bless you my friends.

Don’t Think

 Some mornings the bed just seems so comfortable. The motivating thought just never comes to mind. It’s on these mornings that you just get out of bed and start the routine going. This morning I did the Ridge Loop for the first time in awhile. I did 8.72 miles in 2:16:36 for a 15:39 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 157 bpm with an elevation gain of 194 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 39 degrees. My stomach was a little off which dampened my spirits a bit. I started to improve as the walk progressed. I’m grateful for God’s blessing even when I’m in a bad mood. God bless you!

Go For It

 Today I was half a step behind in my morning routine. I wanted to do the Medford/Randall route, but I was behind and usually do the slightly shorter routes. I decided to just go for it since I love the solitude of this route. Then something inside me told me to go for it— I did. I did 8.86 miles in 2:18:22 for a 15:36 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 87 bpm with an elevation gain of 199 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm at 38 cloudy degrees. So glad that I decided to go for it! God bless you!

Tuesday/Wednesday

 Tuesday- First day back at school did the Woodlot/Ridge Loop twice with a short out and back on Raynor. I did 8.62 miles in 2:20:05 for a 16:15 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 150 bpm with an elevation gain of 211 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 35 degrees.

Wednesday- I did 3 x Woodlot/Raynor with up and down the steep hill and cut across the trail on lap 3 :  8.64 miles in 2:18:53 for a 16:04 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 171 bpm with an elevation gain of 190 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 41 degrees.

It’s been a week where I am out on time , but difficult to get out earlier which means I can’t do my slightly longer loop. I’m content and pleased to get my workouts in, but I am just feeling out of place in New York. I’m liked , but I’m not sure if I’m respected. So many things that I can do, but nobody asks me to do them. Some people have so much charisma and talent that they overshadow. God knows and He is able.

MLK

 I got up a bit later as today was a day off from school. I usually try to go a bit longer on these days. I enjoy ending in daylight which means I can do the workout version where I go through the woods near the end of the workout. I did 9.32 miles in 2:33:22 for a 16:27 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 147 bpm with an elevation gain of 286 feet with an average cadence of 125 spm at 31 degrees. 

  Today is MLK day. I noticed that more people are making mention of it these days which is a good thing. It’s important to have a just society where people have equal rights. Rights are often neglected out of ignorance or moral failure. I’m glad that God gives us believers the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit acts in our lives to help us to be more like Jesus. I’m grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes my thinking and attitudes are way off. The Holy Spirit uses the Bible, people, and circumstances to correct my incorrect attitudes/thoughts/actions. Have a blessed day friends.

Better Day on Friday the 13th

 I was very tired when I woke up. The large cup of coffee helped to shake off the cobwebs on my tired mind. I was glad to have today be Friday— even with my day working tomorrow. I did the Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Woodlot, Randall Loop doing 8.73 miles in 2:23:33 for a 16:26 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 155 bpm with an elevation gain of 313 for an cadence of 126 spm at 51 degrees. Plenty to say , but I am too tired. Have a blessed weekend.

Out in The Quiet

 I went out the back porch door into the dark still quiet of the early morning air. I felt better since I stopped taking my thyroid medication. I did the Medford/Randall loop doing 8.89 miles in 2:25:12 for a 16:20 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 108 bpm with an elevation gain of 204 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 37 milder degrees. Sometimes it’s the little steps the little changes in perspective that make a difference. Thank you Lord for your direction. Have a blessed day!

Dark Mornings

 This has been an unusually cloudy overcast period here on Long Island. Most days are overcast and the mornings are dreary. I am still grateful for the health and opportunity to go for my early morning workouts. I have been having what I think is a side effect to my thyroid medication. I have been feeling anxious and tight at periods of time. Think I need to find an alternative medication. I’ve been trying to tough it out, but I don’t like not feeling right. Usually by night time I am feeling better and always sleep well. Got to figure this out. I did the Medford/Randall route doing 8.90 miles in 2:24:32 for a 16:14 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 109 bpm with an elevation gain of 210 feet at an average cadence of 128 spm at 33 degrees. I am grateful for God’s provision when I need His help. Love you Jesus!

Good Morning

 I slept very well last night. Another day another new prescription. I did the Medford/Randall Loop doing 8.90 in 2:23:14 for a 16:05 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 159 bpm with an elevation gain of 210 feet with an average cadence of 129 spm at 34 degrees. It was a cloudy and quiet morning. So far no negative side effects from my new medication. Have a most blessed day!

Okay In the Chaos

 This year has shown me that God sees me and cares for me. This weekend my blood pressure remained high so I’m heading to the doctor today, Lord willing. I love my students, but hate this commute. I also miss the respect that I had in Maine as a coach and as a teacher. I miss coaching . I miss singing in church . I miss feeling like my opinion mattered in church So many perspectives that I have on life down here I share alone. I definitely am with the love of my life. I definitely know God is in control. I am thankful for the overall good health that I have. I’m just not sure where it all goes.

Today I did the Medford/Randall Loop doing 8.89 miles in 2:24:41 for a 16:17 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 154 bpm with an elevation gain of 205 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at 36 degrees. I’m thankful for my workout today! God bless you!

When Things Go Smoothly

 Today was the day that most things went fairly smoothly and on time. I didn’t really get ahead in anything, but I was able to keep up to speed. I did the usual Apple Court, Kastal, Ryan, Whiskey, Woodlot, Randall Loop doing 8.69 miles in 2:18:46 for a 15:57 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 78 bpm with an elevation gain of 190 feet with an average cadence of 126 spm at 40 degrees.  

It was a rainy morning once again.  Rain seems to be the latest trend. Thankfully it didn’t rain too hard. This has been the week of training of getting back to the routine. I am grateful that it had gone well. Lord willing, I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend. God bless you my friends!

A Change in Direction

 I woke up feeling ok, but my stomach was a bit off. It’s difficult to get my walks in with having to make “pit stops”. I was a bit discouraged, as it’s been awhile since I haven’t had some ailment or another. I decided to do the 2 x Woodlot/Ridge with a short out and back at the beginning. I prayed a lot about how I was feeling and God was gracious. My workout went okay and I felt better at the end than at the beginning. I was able to get my physical therapy in at school and my strength work after the walk. Thank you Lord for your blessings.

I did 8.64 miles in 2:18:09 for a 15:59 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 145 bpm with an elevation gain of 209 feet at an average cadence of 127 spm at a temp of 45 degrees.

Doing some small changes. I’m only doing PT 5 days a week instead of every day. I’m also having two pieces of toast with almond butter for breakfast, rather than doing intermittent fasting. My wife saw research that intermittent fasting can be harmful long term. The fasting did help get me under 200 pounds at a time when I was struggling. It feels good to have that nourishment in my body. Moderation is the key with diet. Have a blessed day!

Dec 3 & 4

 The focus is always on getting the work in , which means recording it sometime has to wait. I’ve committed to recording my workouts for years now— just something that is worthwhile to me. Getting back into the groove has been a little slow. I am in a sort’s getting back to the old routine. When I got sick I knew that part of the reason was just getting overtired and overworked. So as I am doing my routine, certain things are being curtailed a bit. Working out takes mental energy, which requires taking some breaks.

Tuesday- Day 1 back at school. The new usual loop. 8.69 miles in 2:19:47 for a 16:04 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 101 bpm with an elevation gain of 197 feet with an average cadence of 126 spm at 43 degrees.

Wednesday- Day 2 back at school: 8.77 miles in 2:23:32 for a 16:22 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 164 bpm with an elevation gain of 189 feet with an average cadence of 125 spm at 48 mild degrees.

Every day is a gift. I’m thankful for today!

Filling in the Gaps

 I got the flu before Christmas and it slowed me down. The last workout recorded, was the day I felt really off. On Thursday I stayed home from work and went to the doctor. I tested positive for the flu and went on Tamiflu. Within a few days I was feeling better with just a little lingering cough. I took it easy so that I could make my trip to Maine on Wednesday. I decided to start my walking training on Thursday. Here are the workouts:

Thursday: I did 9.49 miles in 2:34:44 for a 16:18 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 93 bpm with an elevation gain of 452 feet with an average cadence of 126 spm at 30 degrees along the sanded roads of Eastport. Still my favorite place in the world.

Friday: Hope- 3 x Barnestown road loop doing 9.09 miles in 2:25:45 for a 16:02 minute per mile pace with an average heart rate of 123 bpm at an elevation gain of 618 feet with an average cadence of 128 spm at 33 degrees.

Saturday: Hope, 3 x Barnestown Road: I did 9:09 miles at a 15:53 minute per mile pace at an elevation gain of 618 feet at 40 degrees. My watch went dead with about.4 miles to go. I had to estimate a bit. December 31

Jan 2: Monday: The Longwood Loop: I did 9.21 miles in 2:29:40 for a 16:14 minute per mile pace I had an average heart rate of 160 bpm with an elevation gain of 238 feet at an average cadence of 125 spm at 39 degrees. I’m grateful for the strength that the Lord provides.